Arsenal advanced to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after a commanding 5-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday night. Goals from Declan Rice, Ethan Nwaneri (who scored twice), Raheem Sterling, and Kai Havertz secured the win for the Gunners.

Declan Rice opened the scoring, while Ethan Nwaneri netted his first goal for Arsenal in the first half, before doubling his tally and receiving cheers of “he’s one of our own” from the home fans. Aaron Collins pulled one back for Bolton, but Sterling restored Arsenal’s cushion with his first goal of the night, and Kai Havertz wrapped up the emphatic win.

Bolton threatened first, with John McAtee crossing for Scott Arfield, who hooked the ball over the bar from close range. Arsenal responded as Raheem Sterling sent a cross to the far post, where Bukayo Saka kept the ball in play, nodding it to Gabriel Jesus, whose volley was blocked.

The Gunners broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when debutant Josh Nichols delivered a cross that wasn’t cleared properly. Rice calmly controlled the ball, shifted it onto his right foot, and found the bottom-right corner to give Arsenal the lead.

Sterling then set up another chance with a cross to Saka, who teed up Jesus for an overhead kick that was deflected wide. Moments later, Jorginho played a precise through ball to Saka, whose cross was volleyed just wide by Jesus.

Bolton’s McAtee volleyed over the bar before finding the back of the net, only for his effort to be ruled offside.

Arsenal’s focus now shifts back to the Premier League as they prepare to host Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

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